Turning competitiveness into results: the challenge after the State of the Union

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President von der Leyen’s 2026 State of the Union speech sent a positive signal to Europe’s business community. Many of the priorities highlighted by the Commission reflect what employers have been calling for over many years: a stronger Single Market, simpler rules, competitive energy prices, faster permitting and investment procedures, and better access to capital.  

Yet the challenge is no longer identifying what needs to be done. The challenge is delivering. Europe’s businesses do not need an ever-growing list of strategies and initiatives. They need tangible results that make it easier to invest, innovate, grow and compete from Europe. 

The proposed pact against gold-plating is particularly welcome: reducing administrative burdens at EU level is important, but simplification will only succeed if Member States do not add new layers of requirements when implementing European legislation. The proposal for a European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials also appears promising, although its value will depend on the results it delivers in practice. 

On international cooperation, we wholeheartedly support closer cooperation with Canada, which could serve as a model for the reliable partnerships European business needs with other like-minded economies, and we stand ready to support the efforts in this field.

The State of the Union sets the right tone. Now it must be matched by implementation. Before launching new frameworks, the focus should be on delivering existing commitments, including the Single Market Roadmap, the omnibus simplification packages and the Savings and Investments Union. Every new initiative should also be subject to a rigorous competitiveness check. 

Ultimately, the success of Europe’s competitiveness agenda will be measured by a simple question: is Europe becoming a better place to invest, innovate, grow and create jobs? European employers stand ready to contribute, but they must remain part of the conversation. What matters now is turning ambition into action and ensuring businesses see a real difference on the ground. 

By Sandra Parthie, President of the EESC Employers’ Group

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